No matter how hard you try as a parent, eventually, your kids will cause some issues within your home. You may walk in one day to find drawings on the walls, spills on the carpets, or a television that no longer works. You can do your best to prevent these problems, and keep a clean home, but the best course of action is learning how to handle them once they happen. Below are 5 house problems your kids will most likely cause sooner or later and what you can do to amend the issue.
Clogged Drains
Fitting as much toilet paper into the toilet and flushing it seems like some sort of rite of passage for all kids. They just love to throw it all in there and see what happens when they push the lever. You turn your head for one second and the next you have an overflowing toilet and a clogged drain.
In this situation, you’ll need to know how to unclog your drain. This can typically be done with a little bit of equipment, but you may not want to do it on your own. According to Fit It Right Plumbing, a plumber in Canberra, “Using any drain equipment comes with its risks and one of the biggest risks is getting the machine you are using stuck inside the drain. This can happen in many ways but usually comes down to experience.” Instead, opt for hiring a local plumbing service and let them take care of it for you. And, knowing kids, you may want to store that number in your phone for future use.
Stained Carpet
If you have a nice carpet in any room your children spend time in, don’t get too attached to it. It won’t be long before they spill something on it, or decide to use it to dry off their hands after finger painting. Many parents, therefore, simply opt to go without carpet throughout much of their home, as hardwood and tile floors are much easier to clean, but this isn’t an option for every home.
Should you decide to stick with the carpet in your home, you’ll need to know how to get various stains out. Invest in some good stain removing products and learn the best ways to remove a stain without making it worse. There are also some home remedies you can use to treat the carpet if you’re in a pinch. Finally, you may want to call in a professional rug cleaner every once in a while to get out those set-in stains.
Broken Glass
Broken glass is not only a nuisance, but it’s also dangerous. If your child breaks some glass within your home it’s entirely possible that they could cut themselves, especially if you aren’t nearby. Things like glass cups, vases, and windows are all common casualties when kids are around, and the broken glass on the ground could cause some issues.
If your kids are old enough, explain to them the dangers of broken glass. That way, if they do break something, they will know better than to try and clean it themselves. No matter the age, when glass breaks inside the home, make sure you clean thoroughly in a wide area around the accident site. Small pieces of glass could have slid away from the object when it broke and you don’t want anyone to accidentally step on them later. Sweep up as much as you can, then go over the entire room with a vacuum to make sure you got it all.
Wall Drawings
All kids love to draw, but unfortunately, it’s not always on a piece of paper. Kids see empty walls as a blank canvas, and it won’t be long before some crayons, markers, or paint ends up there. To prevent these pieces of art from becoming a permanent fixture in your home, always give your kids water-soluble art supplies. That way, if they do get something on the wall, you can easily wash it off. Should your kids make some art on the walls with other supplies, it’s not a bad idea to keep some leftover paint from that room so you can cover it up.
Sticky Electronics
Finally, kids’ hands are filthy. They also love playing with electronic devices, which is not a good match. Every parent has the experience of picking up their cell phone or remote control and finding it sticky from their kids. You need to be sensitive as to how you clean these devices because too much moisture in the wrong spot will only lead to further problems. You can use this guide for some tips on how to clean sticky electronics.
Accept That Things Will Break
No matter how careful you are, your kids will find a way to break or damage things in your home. Rather than trying to prevent any problems from happening, the best you can do is learn how to fix the problem once it arises. This will let your kids be kids, but also keep your home from looking like a warzone.
